Most likely named for the Wabash Railroad which was named for the Wabash River, which was named after the French River Ouabache.

Wade Avenue

Wadsworth Avenue

May have been named for General Elijah Wadsworth, who raised three regiments to fight in the War of 1812.

Wager Avenue

Wagner Street

Wakefield Road

Walbridge Street

May have been named for George B. Walbridge who co-founded one of the largest construction companies in Detroit (1914).

Walden Avenue

Waldo Street

Wales Street

Walker Boulevard

Possibly named for John Walker, who was one of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Walker Street

Possibly named for John Walker, who was one of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Wallace Avenue

Wallick Place

Wallingford Avenue

Walnut Street

Probably named after the walnut tree.

Waltham Avenue

Walton Street

Wanamaker Place

Wanda Avenue

Ward Avenue/Street

May have been named for Detroit industrialist Eber Brock Ward.

Ward Place

May have been named for Detroit industrialist Eber Brock Ward.

Waring Avenue

Wark Avenue

Named for Bruce H. Wark. Bruce lived in Detroit most of his life (he emigrated from Canada in his late teens). Bruce was a real estate developer and his biography (up to 1922) can be found in The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Volume 5, by William Stocking & Gordon K. Miller (available at Google books). The street has been renamed Santa Rosa Drive.

This street was opened in 1869 and was named for the Revolutionary War hero, General Joseph Warren.

Warren Court

Many courts and places are named for there proximity to larger streets. That is probably the case here.

Warrington Drive

Warsaw Place

Named for the capital of Poland.

Warwick

Washburn Avenue

Washington Boulevard

Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Washington Boulevard was originally named Washington Grand Avenue after General Washington, according to the Woodward Plan. In 1828 it was renamed Wayne after General Anthony Wayne, the American commanding officer at Detroit in 1796. The street was later renamed again after the first president."

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=199#ixzz0qOP2Vxki

Waterloo Avenue

Many streets in Indian Village have Indian names, yet according to Nick Sinacori, quoted in an article in ModelD, at modeldmedia.com by Rodd Monts...Waterloo was named not after the battle, but for a horse farm of the same name in the area. Read more about this...

Special thanks to Craig Sasser for this information. Read more from Craig here.

Waterman Avenue

Waterman Avenue S

Watko Avenue

Watson Place

Eli Watson of New York founded Watson in Allegan County. I do not know if this street was named for him.

Watson Street

Eli Watson of New York founded Watson in Allegan County. I do not know if this street was named for him.

Waveney Avenue

Waverly Avenue (HP)

Wayburn Avenue

Wayne Street

Named for General Anthony Wayne.

Weaver

Possibly named for religious crusader, William Weaver.

Webb Avenue

Possibly named for abolitionist, William Webb; or General James Watson Webb.

Weitzel Court

Welland Avenue

Wellesley Avenue/Drive

Wellington Avenue

Probably named for the Duke of Wellington or another place that was named for him.

Wells Street

Several places in Michigan were named for men named Wells. Wells Street in Detroit may or may not have been named for one of the men or one of the places. Anthony and James Wells settled Memphis in Macomb County. N.M. Wells was an assistant engineer for whom a settlement in Arenac was named. Wells in Delta County was named for sawmill owner Daniel Wells, Jr.. Wells in Tuscola County was named for postmaster Joseph Wells.

Welton Avenue

Wendell Avenue

Possibly named for education advocate, Mary S. Wendell; or early settler Emory Wendell.

Wentworth Avenue (Ham)

Wesson Street

West Beaverland

This street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit and the abundance of beaver in the area when it was first settled.

West Chicago

This street may have once been a trail that led to Chicago.

West End Avenue

This street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit and/or the Michigan Central Railroad station in Springwells township.

West End Avenue S

This street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit and/or the Michigan Central Railroad station in Springwells township.

West Parkway

This street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit.

West Point Avenue

This street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit.

Westbrook Avenue

It is common for streets to be named for nearby landmarks or geographical features of the area. It is possible that this street ran along the west side of a brook or had a brook to the west of it.

Western Avenue

This street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit.

Western Drive

This street was most likely named for it's location on the western border of Detroit.

Westfield Avenue

While this street may have been named for the now defunct rural post office in Kalamazoo County or a person named Westfield, it is common for streets to be named for nearby landmarks or geographical features of the area. It is possible that there was once a field to the wes tof this street.

Westminster Avenue

Probably named for the area in London or another place that was named for it.

Westmoreland Road

Weston Avenue

Possibly named after Lenawee County's Edward Payson Weston.

Westover Place

Westphalia Avenue

Probably named after Westphalia, Germany.

Westwood Avenue

It is common for streets to be named for nearby landmarks or geographical features of the area. It is likely that this street was west of a wooded area.

Wetherby Avenue

Wexford Avenue

Weyher Avenue

Whalen Avenue (Ham)

Named for the Village of Hamtramck's first fire chief (1915), Barnard Whalen.

Special thanks to John Bezik for this information.

Wheeler Avenue

Possibly named after Genesee County's Elmer G. Wheeler, a landowner and justice of the peace; or pioneer James B. Wheeler; or Allegan County postmaster Chester C. Wheeler.

Wheelock Street

Whipple Street

May have been named for Fort Wayne (Indiana) Captain Whipple (later General Whipple); or artist S. Arch Whipple.

Whitcomb Avenue

White Street

Could be named for one of the following -- or not. Jackson County settler R.R. White. Charlevoix County's White's Camp near White Lumber Mill. Genesee County's Clark White. Detroiter Peter White.

There are several Whitneys in Michigan history. Surveyor Charles Whitney is the namesake of Whitney in Menominee County. Arthur Whitney was a hunter and trapper from Highwood. Whitney Beach in Gladwin County was named for him. Whitney in Arenac County was named for the Whitney lumber mill. Lumber baron David Whitney's Detroit mansion still stands and is home to the Whitney restaurant. My money is on him.

Whittaker Avenue

Possibly named after Washtenaw County general store owner Frank Whittaker.

Whittier Road

Probably named for abolitionist poet and quaker, John Greenleaf Whittier.

Widman Place

Wight Street

Was originally named Alexander for Alexander Fraser. Not sure where the "Wight" comes from.

Wilber/Wilbor Avenue

Possibly named after pioneer settler Loran Wilber.

Wilcox

May have been named for General Orlando B. Wilcox or University of Michigan Secretary Eben N. Wilcox.

Wilde Street

Wildemere Avenue

Wildwood Aveue

Streets are often named for landmarks or geographical features in the area. That is probably the case with this street.

Wilfred Street

Wilkie Street

Wilkins Street

May benamed for Judge Ross Wilkins or Colonel Wiilam D. wilkins.

Willard Street

Possibly named for Bay County's Levi Willard or Detroiter William Willard.

Willette Avenue

Williams Avenue

Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes: "John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York."

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=199#ixzz0qOP2Vxki

Willis Avenue E-W

Possibly named for Wasthenaw County farmer, Willis L. Potter.

Willmarth

Willmarth was once the name of the post office that is now Sand Hill.

Wilshire Drive

Probably named for Wilshire, England; though I believe that is spelled Wiltshire.

Winchester Avenue E-W

Probably named after General James Winchester.

Windemere Avenue (HP)

Winder Street

Named for Colonel John Winder

Windmill Point Drive

Windsor Avenue

Possibly named for Windsor, Ontario or Windsor, Vermont ot the founder of Osceola County.

Winfield Avenue

Dundee and Kinneyville both had, at one time, post offices known as Winfield. Not sure if that has anything to do with this avenue.

Winfield Avenue (Ham)

Dundee and Kinneyville both had, at one time, post offices known as Winfield. Not sure if that has anything to do with this avenue.

Wing Place

May have been named for Austin E. Wing an area surveyor, sheriff, and University of Michigan Regent.

Winger Street

Winkleman Avenue

Winona Avenue (HP)

Possibly named after the Winona Copper Mining Company or Winona in Houghton County, which was named for the company.

Winslow Street

Winston Avenue

Winter Street

Winthrop Avenue

Possibly named after the Winthrop Iron Company or the town in Tuscola County, which was named for the iron company.

Wisconsin Avenue

Probably named for the state of Wisconsin.

Wisner Avenue

Probably named after Michigan Governor Moses Wisner.

Witherell Street

Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes, "Witherall [sic] was named after James Witherall, who succeeded Frederick Bates as one of the first Michigan territorial judges in 1808. He was a major in the War of 1812 and commanded General William Hull's army in Detroit. He was Territorial Secretary in 1828 and prompted the establishment of a public school system. "

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=199#ixzz0qOP2Vxki

Witt Avenue

Wolff Street

Wolverine Avenue (Ham)

Probably named after the state animal.

Wood Avenue

Wood, you know, wood.

Woodbine

Woodbridge Street E-W

Named for William Woodbridge. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "William Woodbridge owned land west of the Cass farm and was active in early Detroit government. He was secretary of the Michigan Territory in 1814, a Michigan representative to Congress in 1819, territorial judge in 1827, governor of Michigan in 1839 and U.S. senator in 1841. His legacy is remembered in Woodbridge Street."

Woodhall

Woodingham Drive

Woodland Avenue

Woodland in Barry County was named for its location amidst dense woods. This street could have been named after the town in Barry County.

Woodland Street

Woodland in Barry County was named for its location amidst dense woods. This street could have been named after the town in Barry County.

Woodlawn Avenue

Possibly named after the village in Delta County.

Woodmere Avenue

Possibly named after the station on the Canada Southern and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroads.

Woodmont Road

Woodrow Avenue

Probably named after President Woodrow Wilson.

Woodrow Wilson

Named for President Woodrow Wilson.

Woodside Street

Streets are frequently named for landmarks and geographic features of the surrounding area. It is likely that there was a wood along side this street.

Woodstock Drive

Woodston Road

Woodward Avenue

Named for Judge Augustus Brevoort Woodward, Woodward Avenue had its humble beginnings as a Native American hunting/travelling path.

Worcester Place

There are many places in the US named Worcester. It most likely comes for Worcester in the UK.

Worden

Possibly named after early Wasthenw County landowner, E.S. Worden.

Wormer

Wotzke Court

Wreford Avenue

Possibly named for William Wreford from whom Henry Ford rented 58 Bagley, the place where Ford assembled his first automobile.

Articles

Glossary:Algonquin

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes (and others): Delaware, Fox, Huron, Miami, Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sac, Shawnee and Winnebago.

Glossary:arquebus

A 39 pound (approximate) musket that two men would prop on a tri-pod and fire with a small torch. The arquebus was used by Champlain's men against the Iroquois to defend the Hurons. This may be the cause of decades of Iroquois abuse of the Hurons.

Glossary:clay and wattle

Building technique used in the construction of chimneys in the early days of Fort Ponchartrain. The technique involved piling sticks and packing them - inside and out - with clay and mud.

Glossary:Colbertism

Name for early French mercantilism in America, which Jean-Baptiste Colbert was influential in developing.

Glossary:conges

Trade permits issued by the Canadian government/court of France in the late 1600s to early 1700s.

Glossary:coureurs de bois

Very early French inhabitants of the current US and Canada who gave up their farmsteads for lives in the fur trade. They often lived with Native Americans.

Glossary:District of Hesse

Land district provisioned by the Canadian Council on July 24, 1788. The area was on the east side of the Detroit River.

Glossary:Fox

"Properly ""Mesh-kwa-ki-hug"". Native American tribe living in the area between Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay at the time Detroit was founded. The French called the tribe Renyard. An allied tribe of the Sacs and Mascoutin."

Glossary:Huron

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.

Glossary:Iroquoian

General term sometimes used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca.

Glossary:Iroquois

"A Native American tribe known for antagonizing and brutalizing the Hurons (see also arquebus)"

Glossary:Mascouten

Native American tribe living in the Grand Traverse Bay area at the time Detroit was founded. An allied tribe of the Foxes and Sacs. Also spelled Mascoutin.

Glossary:Miami

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.

Glossary:Muskhogean

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek.

Glossary:New York Currency

First standard currency used in Detroit (first used in 1765).

Glossary:Ottawa

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.

Glossary:Outagamies

Native American tribe living in the Grand Traverse Bay area at the time Detroit was founded. An allied tribe of the Foxes (and Sacs?).

Glossary:Plains Indians

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Pawnee (Pani).

Glossary:Potawatomi

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.

Glossary:Quebec Act

Act of June 22, 1774, in which British Parliament decides to exercise English law in criminal cases and old French provincial law in civil cases in western settlements. The idea was to discourage people from settling in the west.

Glossary:Renyard

See Fox

Glossary:ribbon farms

Original land grants given by Cadillac. The lots were typically around 200 feet wide at the river front, with lengths up to 3 miles.

Glossary:Sac

See Sauk

Glossary:Sakis

See Sauk

Glossary:Sauk

Native American tribe living in the area between Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay at the time Detroit was founded. The French called the tribe Sakis; English and Americans generally call them Sacs. An allied tribe of the Foxes/Renyards and Mascouten.

Glossary:Shoshonean

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Bannock and Shoshone.

Glossary:Treaty of Montreal

Treaty ending the war between the Iroquois and France and England. Negotiations began in July of 1698 and the treaty was signed in August of 1701.